When you first walk into a poultry show, understanding the showroom layout can be overwhelming. If you are showing birds, knowing where to start looking for cages can take your stress to new heights.

Understanding poultry shows comes with time, but knowing the showroom layout before you even enter the building can help you feel more prepared for your first poultry show.

If you’re showing for the first time, go directly to the office or the Show Secretary as soon as you arrive. They will check you in, give you your exhibitor number and an exhibitor list, and help you find your cages.

How It’s All Laid Out

Poultry shows, big and small, are generally open to three types of fowl recognized by the American Poultry Association and the American Bantam Association. Turkeys and waterfowl are shown at most shows, but chickens are by far the most common type of fowl.

It may appear that the wall-to-wall chickens have no particular order. However, someone has worked hard to organize the birds. The pattern may not be immediately apparent, but once you start understanding poultry shows, it will begin to make sense.

Large Fowl (Big), Bantam (Small), Waterfowl, Turkeys, Guineas

The first thing you may notice is that there are very large birds and very small birds. Some look almost identical, except for size. The small birds are bantams; the larger birds are large fowl. Waterfowl come in both sizes. A few breeds are only available as large fowl or only as bantams, but many can be either.

Large fowl are the standard size for a chicken. Bantams are popular because they are smaller, easier to handle, take up less space, eat less food, and still provide many of the benefits of owning chickens. In the showroom, large fowl and bantams are shown separately and in different areas.

Classes

The next thing you may notice is that birds are grouped by breed and variety. A specific group of breeds makes up a class.

For large fowl, the classes are named after the area of origin:
American, Asiatic, English, Mediterranean, Continental, and All Other Standard Breeds.

For bantams, classes are named after physical characteristics:
Game Bantams, Modern Game, Single Comb Clean Legged (S.C.C.L.), Rose Comb Clean Legged (R.C.C.L.), All Other Comb Clean Legged (A.O.C.C.L.), and Feather Legged (F.L.).

For waterfowl, classes are categorized by weight:
Bantam Ducks, Heavy Ducks, Medium Ducks, Light Ducks, Heavy Geese, Medium Geese, and Light Geese.

Turkeys and guineas are categorized by their variety (color):
Turkeys are recognized in: Beltsville Small White, Black, Bourbon Red, Bronze, Narragansett, Royal Palm, Slate, and White Holland.
Guineas are recognized in: Lavender, Pearl, and White varieties.

Breed

Within each class, there are several breeds. Each breed has specific characteristics that differentiate it from others.

For example:
Among bantams, the Brahma and Silkie are both in the Feather Legged (F.L.) class.
The Rhode Island Red and Leghorn are both in the Single Comb Clean Legged (S.C.C.L.) class.

Breeds differ in shape, feather characteristics, comb type, and other attributes.
The Standard of Perfection provides detailed information on each breed’s characteristics and history.

Variety (Color)

Some breeds have many color varieties; others have only one.

For example, both large fowl and bantam Plymouth Rocks are recognized in:
Barred, White, Buff, Silver Penciled, Partridge, Columbian, and Blue varieties. Each variety has distinctive traits that set it apart from others.

Some of the same color varieties appear across multiple breeds. For example, there are Buff Brahmas, Buff Cochins, Buff Orpingtons, Buff Silkies, and others. The Standard of Perfection outlines the characteristics of each variety.

Synopsis:

Poultry shows are organized first by class.
Each class is divided into the breeds within that class.
Each breed’s varieties are then grouped together and organized by the sex and age of the bird (cocks, cockerels, hens, pullets).

Understanding this framework will help you navigate poultry shows more confidently.

Basic Showroom Courtesies – The Unwritten Rules of Showing Poultry

Knowing and following proper etiquette when attending or entering a poultry show helps create a pleasant experience for everyone: the show committee, the judges, other exhibitors, visitors — and, of course, you. Most of these unwritten “rules” are common sense, but following them will help you feel like a seasoned exhibitor rather than a rookie.

Etiquette Reminders:

• Fill out your entry form correctly and always keep a copy for yourself.
  Many shows use their own forms. Ask show staff if you need help completing them. This helps avoid confusion at check-in.

• Be aware of check-in times.
  Check-in may be Friday night or Saturday morning. Judging usually begins around 9:00 a.m., but verify the schedule. Ensure your birds are caged in time for judging.

• Do not disturb judges while they are working.
  Judges are happy to answer questions after judging is complete.

• Never touch another exhibitor’s bird.
  If you see something concerning, notify show staff so they can inform the owner.

• Coop out on schedule.
  It’s courteous to stay for awards announcements and congratulate other exhibitors. We’re all hobbyists, and good sportsmanship matters in any competition.

This article highlights the essentials to help you feel comfortable with the rules at your first show. Ask questions! Judges and fellow exhibitors are usually happy to share their knowledge and talk about their birds.

Above all else — have fun and enjoy the experience! 🐣🐔🎉